Buckle



April 21, 1953 LEVlNE 2,635,313

BUCKLE Filed Sept. 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 INVENTOR- Fla PAUL. LEVINE ATTORNEY P. LEVINE April 21, 1953 BUCKLE Filed Sept. 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fka. 1O

FIG.14

JNVENTOR. PAUL LEVINE ATTORNEY April 21, 1953 P, LEvlNE 2,635,313

' BUCKLE Filed Sept. 15, 1947 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 27 5 INVENTQR. RG25 PAUL. LEVINE ATTORNEY but showing the first step in the Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 15, 1947, Serial No. 774,077 12 Claims. (Cl. 24-170) This invention relates, as indicated, to buckles, but has reference more particularly to that type of buckle which is generally used in connection with tire chains or other traction-gaining devices commonly known as emergency chains, and

which are adapted to be secured to the wheel of a vehicle without moving the vehicle or raising the wheel. While the buckle may be used for efforts, short of actual breaking of the strap, to

disengage the strap from the buckle or vice versa. Another object of the invention is to provide a buckle of the character described, which is of extremely rugged and durable construction, consisting of a minimum number of easily manufactured and readily assembled parts;

A further object of the invention is to provide a .buckle of the character described, having incorporated therein a novel strap-gripping lever which can be manipulated with easein the course of securing the strap to the buckle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a buckle of the character described, having incorporated therein a second lever which is effective to lock the first lever in strap-gripping position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an emergency chain unit secured inposition on the wheel of a motor vehicle by a preferred form of buckle embodying the invention;.;-

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, but with the levers in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of; the buckle, as viewed from the right side of Fig. 3, but with the levers in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line ii-=6 of Fig. 5; a

Fig.1? is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on approximately the line 2-'2:of Fig. 1, attachment of the strap to the buckle;

Fig. 8 is a view similarto Fig. 7, but showing the second step in the attachment of the strap to the buckle; ,1 i

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the final step in the attachment of the strap to the buckle; 'r

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modification of the buckle;

Fig. 11 is a view, on an enlarged scale, showing the buckle of Fig. 10 in locked or strap-gripping position; i

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view. taken on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but showing the locking in open position;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing another modification of the buckle; Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 11, but of the buckle shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end elevational view, looking 'in the direction indicated by the arrows Iii-l6 in Fig. 15;

Fig. l'lis a fragmentary cross-sectional view.

taken on the line l|--l'| of Fig. 15;

taken on the line 2020 of Fig. 19; i

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 2I--2l of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing a fourth modification of the invention; r

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 19, but of the buckle shown in Fig. 22; t

Fig. 24 isfa fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the'line 24-24 of Fig. 23, and l Fig. 25 is'a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 23. i Referring'pmore especially to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive of the drawings, the numerals I and 2 designate a pair of chains or similar traction-gaining members, which are designed to fit about the tread portion of the tire T of a vehicle wheel.

.The ends ofithe chains I and 2 are connected to .The cross-bar 3, in this case, is an integral part of the novel buckle of the present invention.

Connected, to the central portion of-the crossbar 4 is-an elongated flexible member 5, such as a woven fabric strap this strap being of sufficient lengthto pass over' and around the inner part of the'tireTI' and rim R, and into secured relationship with the buckle to be now described.

The cross-bar. 3 is, as stated, an integral part of the buckle, and has extending from one edge thereof intermediate its ends and in a direction opposite the chains, a plate 5 which is of generally rectangular shape. The plate '6 has an entrant opening I therein, one wall or edge 8 of which is straight and substantially parallel with the cross-bar 4, and the other wall or edge 9 of which is of curved or arcuate form. The plate has a second slot or reentrant opening H] of substantially the same length as the opening I, which is bounded by walls H and [2 which are parallel with the wall 8 of the opening I, and by end walls l3 and M at right angles to the walls II and I2. The cross-bar 'Ais also provided with a slot or opening l5 which-isdisposed adjacent one end of the plate '6 and which serves a purpose to be presently described.

Pivotally secured to plate 6, as by means of arivet? l6, disposed adjacent-the endwall l3- of the "slot I0 is alever I1, which is pivotally movable in a plane parallel to the plane of the plate 6;. ,Thislever is provided with'a slot or openscribed. This is evident in Figs. 8 and 9, in

which the free end of the strap is gripped against the outer edge of the wall 28 of the opening [8 and against the inner edge of the wall l2 of the ing. 18 similar in size to the slot or opening 16 and bounded by walls I9, 20, 2| and 22. In the strap-gripping position of this lever, the slot or opening [8 is registered or aligned with the openin H1. in the platefi.

,The lever I1 is provided with an arcuate or curved lower edge 23, which, in the strap-gripping position of the lever, is substantially parallel with the wall 9: of the opening i, but is spaced slightly from thelatter wall.

The lever 11 is further provided intermediate its-ends with. an arm 24 extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a forwardly ex- :tendinglug. 25., Pivotally secured tov the lug 25,

as by a rivet 26, is a second. or locking lever 21,

whichhas a pivotal movement ina plane normal: to theplane-of movement ofthe lever H.

The lever 21 is provided adjacent its free end .with afl-rearwardly extendinghook-shaped lug '28 adapted to enterthe slot or opening I5 in the :cross-bar, 3.

The operation or use of the aforesaid buckle is as follows:

The device, as described, -is.properly fitted about the tire -'andrim of: the vehicle, and the free end of thestra'p 5 is passedthrough the entrant opening 1 in the plate 6, being inserted in this opening through therear of the opening. -A-fter thestrap has been pulled or drawn until it is:-taut,"the "1eVe1'11fl'i'iS swung downistration, causing the edge 23 o'ftthe lever to firmlygripor clamp the'strap between such edge and "the edge 9 of the opening 1. Due, to the curvature of: these edges, the strap is gripped with a wedge like force or action which is eflective to firmly resist any tendency to sep- "arate the strap from the buckle.

;After the strap has been thus gripped,'the lever 2'! is pushed toward the cross-bar 3, and

*wardly, until the'openings 18 and rare in reeextent s'uflicient to'cause the flange 29 of the hook 28 *to-engage behind the cross-bar, therebylo-cking'the levers 21 and I! in closed posi- {tion.

- The end of the strap is then passed upwardly and rearwardlythrough the aligned slots l8 and -H and then upwardly into parallelism with the body of the strap; This'is' highly advantageous opening l0.

The strap is thus gripped at three distinct points, the points of secondary gripping being effective to prevent accidental removal of the free endof the strap from the buckle. The strap cannot bev released from the buckle, 'until' the .lever121 has been unlocked and the. lever I! swung upwardly to its open position.

. It is. thus seen that I have provided a buckle which can:be, quickly and easily secured to' the strap which is, associated with the emergency chains; which, when secured to the strap, is effective to resist virtually any andall efforts, short of actual breaking of the strap, to disengage the strap from the buckle or vice .versa; which is ofextremely rugged and durable con.- struction, and consists of a minimum number of easily manufactured and readily assembled parts; which has incorporated therein, a. novel strap-gripping, lever which can be manipulated with ease in the course of securing the strap to the buckle,.an'd which also has. incorporated therein a second lever which is. eifective tolock the first lever in strap-gripping position. i

In Figs. 10, to. 13.inc1usive, the buckle is similarin construction to thatv shown in Figs, 1 to 9 inclusive, but in this .case, the plate 36 of the buckle is providedv with a forwardly extending flange or lug! 3l'adjacent one end' of the. plate. .The lever. 38 has a downwardly extending arm 39 provided with a. forwardly extending flange or lug 10 which, in the strap-gripping position of .the lever 38 (see Fig. 11.), is disposed directly above the lug 31, the latter, in effect, serving :as a, stop to limitthe downwardmovement of the lever.

Pivotally secured to the lug 40, as by means of rivet: is a second, or locking. lever .42, provided-with an-arm'43-.,

With the buckle in: the "openzposition shown in Fig. 10, the strap 5 i passed'through theen- 't'rant 'openingfi in the plate 36, being inserted "in this opening through the rear of the opening.

clamp the strap'between such edge and the edge 9 of the opening 1. After the strap has been thus gripped,.the lever 42 is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. .13. to that shown in- Fig. 12, the plate 36 serving, asa stop-for the arm 43- of the -lever: 42 to limitthe movement of the lever, as clearly shown in Fig. 12. The frictionalengagementof. the lever 42 with the lug 31, due to the tension of the stra'p'5 on. the

v le.v.er 38, issuch as to maintain the lever 38 in .strap-gripping position, from which it can be I-rel'eased only upon exerting a considerable pull on the lever 42. The lever.42,:in other words,

serves a function similar to that of the lever 21 in'the previously-described form of buckle.

The end of the strap is then passed upwardly and rearwardly through the aligned slots l8 and 19, as shown in Fig. 11, and then upwardly into parallelism with the body of the strap. The

function of the slots 18 and I9, in this case, is

identical with that of the similarly-numbered slots in thepreviously-describedform of buckle.

so that further description thereof is unnecessary. InFigs. 14 to 17 inclusive, the plate is pro vided at one edge with a forwardly-extending flange 41, a portion of which is removed to provide a recess 48 for'the reception of a lever 49.

The portion of the flange 41 adjacent the recess 48 is provided at its upper end with a rearwardlyextending flange or hook 50, which overhangs aportion of the recess 48. In otherwords, one wall of the recess 48 is undercut to leave the flange or hook 50.

The lever 49 is pivotally secured to the plate 45 by means of a rivet 5|, a washer or spacer :52 being interposed between the lever and plate 46, as shown in Figs. 15 and 17, for a purpose to "be presently described.

v With the buckle in the open position shown in Fig. 14, the strap 5 is passed through the entrant opening 1 in the plate 46, being inserted in this opening through the rear of the opening.

After the strap has been pulled or drawn until it is taut, the lever 49 is swung downwardly until the openings I8 and I!) are in registration, causing the edge 23 ofthe lever to firmly grip or clamp thestrap between such edge and the edge 9 of the opening 1.

While the lever 49 is thus moved downwardly, it is biased toward the plate 46 so as to permit it to enter the recess 48. This biasing or bending of the lever 49 towards the plate 46 is permitted by virtue of the provision of the washer 52 which thus spaces the lever 49 about a sixteenth of an inch from the front face of the plate 46. After the lever 49 haspassed below the level of the lower edge of the hook 50, it is released, its inherent resiliency causing it to resume its natural position of parallelism with the plate 46, in which position it is locked by the hook 59, as clearly shown in Fig. 16.

The engagement of the lever 49 with the hook is maintained by the tension of the strap 5 on the lever 49, and this engagement is maintained until the lever 49-is released by biasing thereof is unnecessary. This modification of the invention, however, has the advantagethat it .does not require the second locking lever which is part of the previously-described forms of buckle.

- In Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive, the constructionis similar in many respectsto that shown in Figs.

1 to 9 inclusive. In this case, however, the lever 21' has a recess 50 in its outer edge which'recess, as clearly shown in Fig. 2l',is slightly wider than the width of the strap 5, and has a depth of approximately twice the thickness of the strap.

The cross-bar 3' has extending from its lower edge, ina direction opposite to that of the plate iii, an extension or tenon 62 of generally rectangular shape, andprovided at its ends with flanges, which are rebent, to provide keepers 65 and 64 which overlie the tenon 62, in spaced relation to the latter, as clearly shown in Figs. 19 and 20. The ends of the keepers 63 and 54 are spaced from each other, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, and the spacing of the keepers from the tenon 62 is more than twice the thickness of the strap 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 20.

In attaching the strap to the buckle, the strap 5 is passed through the opening I in the plate 5|, being inserted in this opening through the rear of the opening. After the strap has been pulled or drawn until it is taut, the lever II! is swung downwardly until the openings 18 and I0 are in registration, causing the edge 23 of the lever to firmly grip or clampthe strap between such edge and the edge 9 of the opening 1. After the strap has been thus gripped, the lever 21 is pushed toward the cross-bar 3', the lever being then locked to the crossbar in the same manner that the lever 21 of the buckle shown in Fig. 6 is locked to the cross-bar '3.

The end of thestrap is then passed throng the recess 60 in the lever 2'1, then through the space between the keepers 93 and 64 and the tenon 62, then bent upwardly to pass through the space between the strap and keepers 63 and 64, as shown in Fig. 20, then through the recess 60, then through the aligned slots [8 and I9, and finally into parallelism with the body of the strap. l

In this manner, the strap is gripped or snubbed at several points additional to those described in connection with Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive. These points are indicated at B5, 66 and 67 in Fig. 20, these points of engagement of the strap with the buckle serving to augment the connection of the strap with the buckle.

In Figs. 22 to 25 inclusive, the construction is similar to that shown in Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive. In this case, however, the arm 24" of the lever H is somewhat shorter than the corresponding arm of the lever I! in Fig. l8,so that the flange 29 of the hook 2B of the lever 21" will engage behind one edge'of the plate 10 of the buckle, as shown in Fig. 25, thus dispensing with the need for the opening I5 of that form of the buckle shown in Figs. 1 to 9. In this casdmoreover, the lever 2'1" has a recess H in its inner edge, instead of its outer edge, which recess, as clearly shown in Fig. 25, is slightly Wider than the width of the strap 5, and has a depth of approximately 'twice the thickness of the strap. The buckle is further provided with keepers i2 and l3,-similar to the keepers 53 and 64 of the buckle shown in Fig. 18. i I In attaching the strap tothe buckle, the strap 5 is passed through the opening 1 in the plate 19, being inserted in this opening through-the rear of the opening. After the strap has'been pulled or drawn until it is taut, the .lever 11 is tenon '14, then bent upwardlyuto pa ss through the space between the strap and the keepers I2 a 1 s sh wn n .F i e thr s "thercross-bar 3" .in .theasamemanner that the lever 21,, of Lthe buckle shown in Fig. 6 .is locked tojthe: cross-bard. I. The strap is. then passed through the aligned slots l8 and I0, and finally into parallelism with the body of the strap. iirIn thismanner, the strap is gripped or snubbed at: several points additional to those described in connection with Figs. 1 and 9 inclusive. These points areindicated at 75, 16 and 1'! in Fig. 24, vthese points of engagement. of the strap with the buckle serving to augment the connection of thestrap with the buckle. I It is, to be understood that the forms of my invention, .herewithshown. and described, are .to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andx-that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the. scope of the subjoined claims. ,xlHaving, thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A strap-securing buckle comprising an apertured plate, a strap-clamping member pivotally mounted on said plate and adapted to releasably clamp a strap under tension in a clamping zone between said member and the apertured portion of saidplate, and strap-engaging edges provided on the apertured portion of said plate and on said member at a point spaced from said clamping. zone, said edges being eifective to simultaneously frictionally grip the free end of a strap passed therebetween in response to pivotal move- 'ment. of said member from its clamping position caused by said tension.

I A strap-securing buckle comprising an apertured plate; a strap-clamping member mounted on said plate forv pivotal movement in a plane parallel therewith and adapted to releasably clamp the strap at a clamping point between said plate and said member, and means integral posed strap-positioningedges, and a pivotally movable clamping member secured to said plate ,fon'movement-in a plane parallel thereto, said clamping member having two oppositely disposed strapeengaging edges, :said clamping member being rotatable to apositionyvherein said strapengaging edges lie intermediate said strap-positi oning edges whereby to clamp a strap passed between one set of. adjacentpositioning and engaging' edges, theother set ofpositioningand engaging edges'defining a strap-receiving aper- "ture' of a width'corresponding substantially to {the thickness of said strap only when said member has been rotated to strap clamping position whereby strap-induced counter-rotation of said clamping member is prevented whenthe free end oi'saidstrap is passed through said strap-receiving aperture.

4. A combination, as defined in claim 3, in

whi ch.lock ing means are provided on said plate for'engag'ement with said clamping member to releasablysecure said member in strap-clamping position.

. 5.,A strapesecuring buckle comprising a plate,

a. straprclamping'member pivotally secured to said plate for rotation in a plane substantially parallel thereto. whereby. to. clamp astrap tray-.- ersingv said plate, means; provided. on said plate and said member. for simultaneously gripping said strap at a point spaced from'said clamping point in response to a strap-induced counterrotation ,of said member, and locking means for releasably securing said member in clamping position.

6. A strap-securing buckle comprising a plate, a strap-clamping member'pivotally secured to said plate for rotation in a plane substantially parallel thereto, whereby to clamp a strap traversing said plate, means provided on said plate and said member for simultaneously gripping said strap at a point spaced from said clamping point in response to strap-induced counter-rotation of said member, locking means on said plate for releasably securing said memberin clamping position, said locking means comprising a laterally projecting arm provided on saidstrap clamping member and, arm-engaging means formed on said plate in the path of movement of said arm.

7. A buckle as defined in claim, 5 in which said means comprises a lever pivotally secured to said member and having a hooked engagement with said plate.

8. A buckle as defined in claim 5 in which said means comprises a lever pivotally secured-to said member and having frictional engagement with said plate. I

9. A buckle as claimed in claim 5 in which said plate has a flange at one edge thereof said flange having a recess therein, and said locking means comprising a lever, said flange havinga hook thereon engaging said lever.

10. A buckle as defined in claim 7, in which said lever has a recess in its outer edge for the reception of a portion of said strap.

11. A buckle as defined in claim 7 in which said lever has a recess in its inner edge for reception of a portion of said strap.

. 12. In a buckle of the character'described, a plate having an opening therein, one edge of said opening being arcuate in form, a slot insaid plate in spaced relation to said opening, a lever pivotally connected to said plate and having an arcuate edge adapted to coact with the arcuate edge of said opening to clamp a strap therebetween, said lever having a slot adapted for registration with .the slot. in said. plate when the lever is in strap-clamping position, whereby said registered slots. are adapted to receive the fre end of said strap .therethrough.

PAUL LEVINE.

References Cited in the filei Of' thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name fliDate I 81,312 Weaver Aug. 18, 1868 84,450 .Weaver Nov. 24, 18.68

222,055 Johnson Nov. 25,- 1879 616,359 Rosenkranz Dec. 20, 1898 941,136 ,Dubois Nov. 23, 1909 1,020,760 Hubbard Mar. 19, 1912 1,347,827 Raymer July 27, 1920 1,751,925 Kelley Mar. 20,1930

1,914,299 Sauerwald June 13, 1933 2,057,012 'Craig Oct. 13, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 23,821 Great Britain of- 1896 294,719 Germany -1 Oct. 23, 1916 554,802 France Mar. 9, 1923 

